Biography of Jane Austen

 

Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817), an English novelist, primarily  known for her six major novels - Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1816), Northanger Abbey ( 1818 ) and Persuasion ( 1818 ) which interpret, critique and comment upon the then British landed gentry in 18th century. Austen often plots upon the dependence of women on marriage in terms of favorable social status and financial security. Her works critique the novels of sensibility being an important part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Along with her realism she  used biting irony, humour, and social commentary, which earned her acclaim among critics, scholars, and popular audiences alike.

As soon as Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1816) were brought out, she got success as a published writer. Her last two novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both were published posthumously in 1818, and she began another,titled Sanditon, but could not finished. Among her other unfinished works are three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, Lady Susan, and another unfinished novel, The Watsons.

On 16 December, 1775 Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampsh. Jane's father, Mr. George Austen who was from an old, respected, and wealthy family of wool merchants, was the rector of the Anglican parishes at Steventon and at nearby Deane. Gradually, George's family fell into poverty. George was admitted to St John's College, Oxford where he most probably met Cassandra Leigh. Later they got engaged. Initially their income was modest, with small per annum living of George; Cassandra brought to the marriage the expectation of a small inheritance at the time of her mother's death.

In the year 1783, Austen and her sister Cassandra were sent to Oxford to be educated. But in autumn both girls were sent home because they caught typhus and Austen nearly died where from Austen home educated. Later, she attended boarding school in Reading Abbey Girls' School but later in December 1786 she had to leave school because the school fees for the two girls were too high for the Austen family. After 1786, Austen "never again lived anywhere beyond the bounds of her immediate family environment"

Guided by her father and brothers James and Henry, her next education came from reading. Irene Collins believes that Austen "used some of the same school books as the boys" her father tutored. Austen apparently got unfettered access both to her father's library and that of a family friend, Warren Hastings. Her father was also tolerant of Austen's sometimes experiments in writing. He also provided both sisters with expensive paper and other materials for their writing and drawing.

Another essential part of Austen's education were private theatricals . From her early childhood, the family and friends staged a series of plays in the rectory barn, where she took part first as a spectator and later as a participant Most of the plays performed there were comedies, which suggests how Austen's satirical gifts were cultivated. She probably tried her own hand at dramatic writing at the age of 12; and she wrote three short plays during her teenage years.

Like many other women authors at the time, Austen also was compelled to publish her books anonymously. During her time at Chawton, four generally well-received novels by Jane Austen were published. Through her brother Henry she send her manuscript to the publisher Thomas Egerton who agreed to publish Sense and Sensibility, which, like all of Jane Austen's novels except Pride and Prejudice, was published "on commission". Sense and Sensibility was brought out in October 1811, and was described as being written "By a Lady". Favourable were reviews and the novel became fashionable among young aristocratic society. Austen's novels were published in larger editions. Austen made £140 from Sense and Sensibility. After Sense and Sensibility was  a great success, all of Austen's subsequent books were billed as written "By the author of Sense and Sensibility" and Austen's name never appeared on her books during her lifetime. Then Mansfield Park was very popular with readers. Within six months all copies were sold , and Austen's earnings on this novel were larger than for any of her other novels.

By early 1816, Austen was feeling unwell, but overlooked the warning signs.  She continued to work in spite of her illness and during this period she worked on The Elliots ( after her death published as Persuasion ). And Austen began The Brothers ( published as Sanditon in 1925), and completed twelve Chapters before stopping work due to illness. She put down her pen on 18 March 1817, making a note that she was turning "every wrong colour" and living "chiefly on the sofa". She experienced difficulty walking and lacked energy as her illness progressed ; and by mid-April she was confined to bed. In May, she was suffering from agonizing pain and welcomed death. On 18th July, 1817, at the age of 41, Austen died in Winchester.

 

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